It seems that the DL flight from Tel Aviv to Atlanta had problems (fire in the cockpit that caused also a break in a window with a consequent cabin depressurizing) while it was flying near Brindisi.
For this reason an emergency landing has been performed in BDS airport without consequences for the crew and the pax.

I'm surprised this thread got no attention at all from the DL insiders here, the link posted here is just confusing, but it is a fact that the TLV-ATL flight diverted.
With DL's 777's being on short supply this will create a challange for DL fleet managers. Hope to get a clarification from DL insiders here soon.

My fault, i wasn't clear enough, it's not the incident to be senseless but the way the news on the internet presented it. I agree this is one serious emergency that happened, I'm very surprised it hasn't been discussed... would be interesting to know what happened up there...

I hope that this wasn't a serious problem, but one that reason required the emegency diversion. I suspect that it didn't get any media attention as it didn't involve a 'terror' related scare from someone who got a bottle of water on their flight.

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 8):I hope that this wasn't a serious problem, but one that reason required the emegency diversion. I suspect that it didn't get any media attention as it didn't involve a 'terror' related scare from someone who got a bottle of water on their flight.

Well, looks like it was quite serious here is some more info i managed to get, still confused but a little more detailed:

-A fire developed onboard (don't know if in the cabin or in the cockpit)
-Crew managed to put it off
-A window blew (passenger window if I have to trust the news, the link between this event and the fire is unclear)
-Loss of cabin pressure and emergency descent + fuel dump
-Emergency landing in BDS
-Problems with the landing gear while on the ground due to overheat (brakes? Blown tires? Landing over MLW?)
-Everybody was ok (definitely the best news)

Probably it only made the Italian news because it happened in Italy and it was non-fatal (thank God)

Quoting Panamair (Reply 5):This morning's ATL-LAX-ATL flight (DL171/174) normally a 777 will be subbed by a domestic 763 instead as the 777 is stuck in BDS. The 763 is configured 24/228 while the 777 is 50/218.

Thanks Panamair, this clarifies things a little.
It would be interesting to hear what is actually wrong with the A/C. I hope its nothing serious, resulting in a long MX.

Quoting Panamair (Reply 5):The 763 is configured 24/228 while the 777 is 50/218.

First off, thankfully all on board are ok. Now for some petty stuff. Lets see, 50 biz seats on a 777 and only 24 on the 763ER. You do the math, undoubtedly there will probably eventually be 26 unhappy people sitting in Y. Hmm, I wonder how DL decides who sits in coach and who doesnt? Probably the least of most peoples worries now but eventually, you know the way people can be................

Quoting Jumbojet (Reply 12):First off, thankfully all on board are ok. Now for some petty stuff. Lets see, 50 biz seats on a 777 and only 24 on the 763ER. You do the math, undoubtedly there will probably eventually be 26 unhappy people sitting in Y. Hmm, I wonder how DL decides who sits in coach and who doesnt? Probably the least of most peoples worries now but eventually, you know the way people can be................

Well, I doubt all those seats are full F fares, most of them are Medallion upgrades so the higher up you are on the DL Medallion Ladder, the better chances you have.

It was Ship 7002. The lower right corner of the R1 Co-Pilot's window heater overheated and flames were seen. Flight attendants reported smoke in the cabin also, probably due to the recirculating fans re-distributing air throughout the airplane. No injuries were reported, evacuation was performed normally. The heater was MCOed, and as stated is set up to ferry to LGW as DL9902. It will now make up DL11 on 23 Sep 06.

Quoting Jumbojet (Reply 12):Lets see, 50 biz seats on a 777 and only 24 on the 763ER. You do the math, undoubtedly there will probably eventually be 26 unhappy people sitting in Y. Hmm, I wonder how DL decides who sits in coach and who doesnt? Probably the least of most peoples worries now but eventually, you know the way people can be................

Rarely is that ATL-LAX flight full in F before the flight. Usually it is filled up at the last second by a bunch of upgraders.

Quoting Jumbojet (Reply 23):This flight originated in TLV and was flying to ATL and is set up as biz elite, comp upgrades not available on this type of int. flight.

No, what he's talking about is that that particular 777 was scheduled to operate the ATL-LAX-ATL roundtrip this morning after arriving from TLV. The BE section of the 777 is the premium cabin on that domestic flight and thus would allow for domestic upgraders.

25 Gokmengs
: I think you are misunderstanding what we are saying here, I am saying ATL-LAX is upgraders(complimentery), not TLV-ATL.